CBS moves up ‘Beastly’ release

Hudgens, Pettyfer pic to open March 4

CBS Films has moved Vanessa Hudgens-Alex Pettyfer vehicle “Beastly” forward two weeks to March 4 to give the romancer more time to play before the summer tentpoles open.

The studio had no comment but a source with knowledge of the situation said a recent test screening had generated positive response among the target audience of young females.

Pettyfer stars as a cursed New York teen in the modern spin on “Beauty and the Beast,” with Hudgens as his love interest. “Beastly” had originally been set for release last July 30 but was pushed back to this year to help give the pic a higher profile and attract more licensees.